Weekly Columns and Op-Eds

It is no secret that prescription drug costs are high. When we hear about medications being sold for outrageous prices, it is important to remember that they aren't necessarily special drugs for specific treatments or rare diseases.

Originally published in The Wenatchee World on May 15, 2019.

"Small businesses are the backbone of the American economy."

Last week, the House voted on legislation that would force the President to participate in the Paris Climate Agreement to reduce carbon emissions in the United States and the world. On the surface, this bill paints a pretty picture: reducing our carbon footprint. However, this federally-mandated top-down approach will not help advance that goal.

Easter Sunday is the holiest day for observant Christians worldwide. It is the day followers of Jesus Christ celebrate his resurrection, and many believers choose to be baptized or receive their first communion on the special day.

Tax Day is a day that has been historically regarded as stressful, complicated, and unworthy of any significant praise. It is a day that is typically dreaded by American taxpayers and business owners. However, on Monday, April 15^th, we observed the first Tax Day under the new Republican tax code that was signed into law in December 2017.

On April 9^th, we said goodbye to a hero of the Greatest Generation. Retired Lt. Col. Richard "Dick" Cole, the last surviving member of the Doolittle Raiders, passed away at the age of 103.

The old saying, "the customer is always right" may hold true as a best practice for business, but it just rarely seems to apply to services provided by the government. In my many conversations with farmers in Central Washington, it is clear that one of the biggest challenges they face remains the availability of labor.